Finally, the Gu Shu ruler arrived at the capital. Fan Tianli left the city a day earlier, and entered the capital with the imperial entourage the next day, directly staying at the posthouse.
Although it was not a secret that he came to the capital earlier, and he even showed his face in the imperial palace. But that was in his personal capacity, and was not considered an official state visit. In addition, Emperor Tianwu was poisoned by the Gu at that time, and was unable to receive him.
And this time, Dashun had a regent prince. When Xuan Tianfeng found out that Fan Tianli's imperial entourage had already stayed at the posthouse, he immediately sent an invitation to him. During the morning court the next day, Fan Tianli entered the imperial palace as the Gu Shu ruler, and kowtowed to the regent prince as the current ruler of Gu Shu in front of all the court officials, and once again declared that Gu Shu was a small country that was attached to Dashun. He also expressed his stance, that during his reign, Gu Shu would always belong to Dashun.
Some people whispered, saying that the Gu Shu ruler lowered his stance because he wanted to marry Princess Wuyang. After all, the two of them were often together these few days, as long as one paid attention to the movements in the imperial court and the capital, they would know about this matter. With such thoughts existing in their hearts, the Gu Shu ruler's act of lowering his head made people feel that it was not very sincere. No one could guarantee that once Princess Wuyang was married, he would not change his mind.
Therefore, someone raised this doubt, and that Fan Tianli was not angry, only saying with a bitter smile: "Gu Shu has seen the might of Dashun's army, seen His Highness Prince Yu's Heavenly Lightning, and also lost many cities under the bombardment of the Heavenly Lightning. Gu Shu is a small country, but it also has its own small world. We do not want to lose this world, so we surrendered to Dashun. When the late Emperor was on the throne, he once said that listening to the former General Bi Xiu's slanderous words and becoming enemies with Dashun was the biggest mistake he made in his many years on the throne. This Monarch does not think that after ascending to the throne, he will be able to resist Dashun's Heavenly Lightning. Therefore, Gu Shu can only submit to Dashun, that is the most correct choice. "
His words were reasonable, and could be considered a very rational analysis, but there were still people in the imperial court who felt uncomfortable listening to it, so they said sourly: "You mean, if Dashun does not have Heavenly Lightning, Gu Shu will not surrender?"
Fan Tianli asked: "If Dashun is not so powerful, what right does he have to reclaim the four foreign countries?"
"You …"
"I'm just stating a fact. Every powerful country has their own vassal states, and the reason why they choose to rely on them is because they are not as strong as the other party. They have to rely on the other party's protection in order to maintain their country's fate and survive. Gu Shu had indeed become fearful after being beaten by Da Shun, and the losses that they had suffered could not be recovered for the next 100 years. This Monarch represents Gu Shu to show weakness to Dashun, this is the magnanimity that a ruler of a foreign country should have, and at the same time, it is a wise move. " He spoke very calmly, "Of course, if Dashun falls to the point that it cannot even compare to Gu Shu, then Gu Shu will naturally not be its territory. By then, not only Gu Shu, the other small countries will also make the same choice. Therefore, Lords, instead of doubting whether This Monarch is sincere, why don't you think about how to maintain and continue developing Dashun's territory's territory. Whether the small countries will rebel or not, it will completely depend on whether Dashun continues to grow stronger. "
His words caused some officials to be unconvinced, but the Left and Right Prime Ministers led the way and applauded him. The Right Prime Minister even took the initiative to speak: "The Gu Shu ruler is right, if you want others to rely on you forever, you must ensure that you will always walk in front of others. Dashun has learned a lot from the ruler's words. "
Fan Tianli quickly bowed, "Lord, you are exaggerating."
The official meeting with the Gu Shu ruler was not considered pleasant, but it was the most basic way for the two countries to communicate. After that, on the same night, the Sixth Prince Xuan Tianfeng set up a banquet in the side hall of Jade Hall, inviting Emperor Tianwu, the Empress, the various princes and princesses, King Wenxuan and his wife, as well as Princess Wuyang Xuan Tiange to attend. This banquet was considered a family banquet, different from a state visit, it was set up to thank Fan Tianli for saving Emperor Tianwu.
Using this as an excuse, Emperor Tianwu had no choice but to attend personally. Moreover, when he heard that Fan Tianli wanted to marry Xuan Tiange, he felt even angrier and wanted to ruin this marriage. Therefore, he attended this family banquet with a mission, to the point that no matter how the Empress persuaded him previously, that anger still hung on his face, it was very ugly.
Emperor Tianwu could basically move on his own now, it was just that he could not walk too quickly, it was not a problem for him to walk slowly.
Since it was a family banquet, there were not many rules, on a very large table, everyone sat together, Fan Tianli was next to Xuan Tianfeng, and King Wenxuan's family was between him and Emperor Tianwu. Xuan Tiange was next to Emperor Tianwu, the two of them exchanged glances from time to time, the girl's face filled with shyness, causing King Wenxuan to sigh in his heart: A grown girl cannot be kept at home!
With regards to Fan Tianli saving him, Emperor Tianwu was really grateful. No matter what, putting aside the matter with Xuan Tiange, this Fan Tianli could be considered to have saved his life. And this was not just saving him, it could be considered to have saved Dashun, if not, he would have passed the throne to his Eighth Brother in a daze, and let Liu Shi become the Empress Dowager without knowing anything, then Dashun would be their world in the future, just thinking about it made one's hair stand on end.
He used tea in place of wine, picking up the teacup and speaking to Fan Tianli: "We heard that Gu Shu's ruler personally cured Our Gu poison, We have always been grateful for this. Gu Shu and Dashun were vassal states at first, then became enemy states, but unexpectedly, when We were in trouble, it was Gu Shu's ruler who saved us. This kindness, We will keep it in our heart, unable to repay it. Today, We will make the decision, from today onwards, within 50 years, Gu Shu does not need to pay tribute to our Dashun, and will receive Dashun's support for Gu Shu's citizens every year, consider it Our gratitude to you. "
When Fan Tianli heard this, he quickly stood up and gave his thanks. To Gu Shu who had just experienced war, being able to be exempted from paying tribute for 50 years was an extremely great kindness. One had to know, paying tribute was not just money, it meant that Gu Shu's best things had to be sent to Dashun, this included the five treasures cloth, and also the most precious medicinal herbs in the desert. That was not all, paying tribute meant lowering one's head, it meant fawning and giving gifts every year, and once Gu Shu obtained this special honour of being exempted from paying tribute, they would have a lot of status and face among the various states in the desert, there would be a lot of hidden help in raising the fate of the country, the benefits were immeasurable.
He stood up to give his thanks, it was also sincere. It was just that after giving his thanks, he did not want to mingle around too much, and did not want to talk about other things. Therefore, he made a prompt decision, speaking to Emperor Tianwu directly: "This Monarch came to Dashun this time, firstly to resolve Your Majesty's crisis, secondly, I have a presumptuous request, I hope that Your Majesty can fulfill a wish of This Monarch."
"Oh." Emperor Tianwu looked up at him, his face dimming instantly, no longer looking as sincere as when he was thanking him just now. He asked Fan Tianli, "Do you want to marry Our only niece?"
"Your Majesty is wise, This Monarch, has this intention." After he finished speaking, he glanced at Xuan Tiange, continuing: "This marriage proposal is not an act of peace between the two countries, but This Monarch's deep feelings for Her Highness the Princess, I hope that Your Majesty can agree."
These words almost caused Xuan Tiange and Feng Yu Heng to vomit! Their love for each other ran deep! Fan Tianli could also say such words?
Feng Yu Heng asked Xuan Tianming softly, "If it was you, would you be able to say these four vile words?"
Xuan Tianming shook his head, "I naturally would not, I's wife has been engaged to I since young, she cannot run away."
"Then what if the engagement is not engaged?"
"Then it's hard to say. In order to trick my wife into my hands, saying a few disgusting words for outsiders to hear, I think that I will not be at a disadvantage. "
Feng Yu Heng felt that her husband had changed, if it was in the past, the cool Xuan Tianming would never say such words. Even now, he would definitely not say it in front of outsiders. But when the two of them were together, Xuan Tianming would shed that evil charm, shed that arrogance, and do everything possible to cater to her. She thought, this was the unique way two people interacted with each other, right? When two people who loved each other were together, it would always be different from when they were with outsiders.
As expected, Fan Tianli's words successfully disgusted Emperor Tianwu, and this old Emperor's way of expressing his disgust was to get angry, very angry! He slammed the table fiercely, causing the dishes in front of him to bounce up, then he shouted angrily: "How dare you! You used the matter of me being afflicted with Gu to threaten the Princess into marrying you, what intentions do you have? "
Fan Tianli was already mentally prepared for this, and did not throw a tantrum, continuing to speak calmly. He said: "I have a sincere heart that wants to marry Princess Wuyang, and this heart has nothing to do with whether Your Majesty is afflicted with Gu or not. Even if this matter did not happen, This Monarch would still come to Dashun to present the betrothal gifts to Princess Wuyang."
Emperor Tianwu glared at Fan Tianli, his eyes staring fixedly at the other party, trying to find a flaw in him. However, after looking at him for a while, he felt that this young Gu Shu person had a familiar feeling. That feeling originated from his Ninth Son, an evil aura around him, infinitely arrogant and willful, but at the same time, he was cold on the outside but warm on the inside, infinitely loyal and steadfast.
He suddenly felt that perhaps this should be a good child, just like his Ming, once he married a wife, he would treat his wife very, very well. The two of them would be in harmony, growing old together.
Once he thought of growing old together, he felt melancholy again. These four words were easy to say, but to really do it, how difficult was that! He wanted to find someone to grow old together with his entire life, and when he finally found her after much difficulty, he destroyed it himself. Therefore, he was actually willing to fulfill the love of young people from the bottom of his heart. He even thought before, he did not want Xuan Tiange to get married to anyone for Dashun, as long as she liked someone, even if it was the most ordinary small household, as long as the two of them truly loved each other, he could give that person the most honorable honour of being a son-in-law.
It was just that he did not expect that someone finally came to propose today, and this person wanted to bring his most beloved niece to the distant Gu Shu, to that desert.
He sighed bitterly, looking towards Xuan Tiange beside him, but seeing the anticipation and determination in this child's eyes, he knew that he could not keep her. He opened his mouth and asked bitterly: "If Tiange goes to Gu Shu, will Uncle Emperor still be able to see you before he dies?"
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